Telegraph printer



Jan. 24, 1939.- K. GUNDLFINGER TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed Dec. 29, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 24, 1939. g, 3 \1 I 2,144,758

' TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed Dec. 29, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T x d I Jan. 24, 1939. K. GUNDLFINGER 2,144,758

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed Deg. 29, 1936 I s Sheets-Sheet 5 I/VVEWTOE [(4191 GU/VOLi'l/VGEB ATTORNEYS,

Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES TELEGRAPH PRINTER Karl Gundlfinger, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, assignor to Autopho'n Aktiengesell'schaft, Solothurn, Switzerland, a Swiss company Application December 29, 1936, Serial No. 118,101 In Germany January 2, 1936 13 Claims.

The invention relates to teleprinters working on the start-stop principle and actuated by signals made up of current impulses. The teleprinter with which the invention is concerned has, like an ordinary typewriter, a set of key actuated type levers. It also has a selecting mechanism which, under the influence of the current impulses of the received telegraph signal, selects one of the type levers and causes it to be operated. The object of the invention is to enable this selecting mechanism to be made as simple and as small as possible so that it can be conveniently fitted beneath an ordinary typewriter. If this is to be done, special driving motors requiring considerable space must be avoided and the various operations must, instead, be electromagnetically controlled while the various parts of the selecting and actuating mech anisms must be arranged so as to take up as little room as possible. According to the invention, the key actuated type levers are arranged so as to be selected for actuation, in accordance with signal impulses received by an electromagnetically controlled selecting device, and to be which is provided for each type lever and which are themselves actuated by an electromagnetically controlled pivotally mounted printing device common to all of them. These actuating members are arranged so as to be moved pivotally at appropriate times by pivotally mounted testing members which are selectively displaced in accordance with the setting of a set of permutation members forming part of the selecting device. Each actuating member depends from one arm of a two-armed striking lever which acts on the type lever and is brought by its associated testing member into a position in which it can be displaced substantially vertically by the printing device. The test members and the printing device are arranged to swing about parallel axes on either side of the permutation members and the actuating members. This enables the whole device to be of extremely compact construction which, in particular, requires only a small amount of head-room. Moreover, this arrangement makes it possible for the selecting device to be returned into its normal position independently 50 of the printing operation proper and to be set again under the influence of the current impulses of the next signal during the actuation and release of a type lever.

In order that the invention may be thoroughly understood and be more readily carried into efiect, an example of construction in accordance therewith will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 shows a cross section through the device.

actuated through actuating members one of a Figure 2 a further cross section through part of the machine.

Figure 3 a front elevation of a selector mechanism.

Figure 4 a plan view of a selector mechanism and printing mechanism.

Figures 5 and 6 two elevations of a detail.

Figure '7 a perspective view of another detail.

The keyboard SV of the printer is constructed like that of an ordinary typewriter. It comprises the type rods TG which are pivotally mounted on a pin TW. Each rod TG carries a key T which can be struck by hand and which acts through its rod TG on a type lever TH. The type levers TH are pivotally mounted on the pin TV. When a key is struck, the free end of the type lever carrying the type strikes against the platen roll which is arranged in the known manner on a carriage R moving at right angles to the type levers, as is shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2. The control mechanism is accommodated beneath the keyboard in a chamber U. This control mechanism makes it possible for the type levers to be struck under the influence of received telegraph signals. A striking member S is provided for each rod TG. All these striking members are mounted on a common spindle SW and each of them is provided with av hook SH which is normally held against a fixed bar SA by a spring SF.

Each of the hooks .SH can be brought individually within striking range of a hammer H. This hammer H is in the form of a rail carried by a lever HT pivotally mounted on a pin HW. The part HH of the hammer lever is formed with a slot in which engages a pin on the armature HA of an electromagnet HM. The iron circuit HE of this electromagnet is arranged horizontally and is laminated in order to increase the efficiency. The armature HA is pivotally mounted in front of one pole of the magnet so that on energization, it is attracted towards the free pole substantially at right angles to the plane of the iron circuit. Thepoint of engagement between the armature and the hammer lever is near the pivotal axis of the hammer lever so that when the electromagnet is energized, the hammer H makes a much greater stroke than the free end of the armature. Likewise, the pivot pin SW of the striking members S is near the point at which the hooks SH are hinged to the striking members so that the end SD of each striking member which lies under an arm TA of a type rod TG is moved, when the striking hook SH is depressed, through a much greater distance than the hookand the hammer. This compound lever connection between the armature HA and the type rod TG enables the relatively large move: ments which have to' be made for the actuation of the type levers to be made-as a consequence of a very short armature movement. This short armature movement increases the efiiciency of the electromagnet and ensures the production of a rapid blow.

The pivot pin SW for the striking members S and the pivot pin HW for the hammer H are mounted in a common bearing structure HB so that the movable parts of the printing mechanism thus form a single constructional unit.

The spacing of the striking members S is ensured by the springs SF which lie in slots in the fixed bar SA.

In order to prevent the ends SD of the striking levers from sliding sideways off the rods TG when the blow is delivered, these ends SD (as shown in Figure 7) can be provided with cheeks SL.

If the received telegraph signals consist of ve selecting current impulses, five magnets WM which actuate five permutation members WS are provided in the selecting mechanism. Each of the magnets WM has two armatures WA] and WA: pivotally mounted in front of the same pole. Both armatures can operate contacts WK in the manner of the known telegraph relay. The five magnets WM are arranged side by side on a rail WT. The five permutation members WS are connected each to one of the armatures of a different one of the magnets WM. The permutation members are provided with knife edges WR which rest in suitable notches in bearing blocks WQ. The permutation members are cut away as shown in Figure 3 in order to reduce the weight which has to be moved and to allow the connecting members WG to pass through them. Each permutation member is provided with a clip WB to which is attached a coupling member WG connected to a pair of lugs WL of the associated armature WAI. Each permutation member WS is also under the influence of a spring WF which tends to draw it into the position which it assumes when the armature is unattracted.

A series of testing members or combs PG is mounted on a common spindle PW above the permutation members and the magnets WM. The number of combs corresponds to the number of striking members S. The comb PG shown in Figure 1 has ten teeth PZ, i. e. two teeth for each permutation member. The various combs are formed by cutting away one tooth in each pair. These teeth PZ bear on the permutation members WS under the influence of springs PF. In Figure 1 the selector rails WS are all shown in their normal positions. In this position, the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th teeth of the comb shown rest upon the five selector bars. If the 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th teeth of the comb were removed, the comb would be held in the position shown until the extreme left hand combination member is displaced on energization of the associated magnet WM when it would drop so that the combination member in question took up a position in the gap to the left of the first tooth. The comb shown in Figure 2 has had its 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th teeth removed. It will, therefore, drop on actuation of the 1st, 3rd and 5th combination members counting from the left.

When a comb has dropped, the combination members can no longer be moved either towards or away from the magnets WM.

Teeth are removed from the various combs so that only one comb can drop in each of the possible positions of the permutation members WS. When a comb drops, its free end PD presses on a part SB of the striking hook SH associated with it so that this hook is pivoted against the action of its spring SF-and comes within striking range of the common striking rail H.

Such a state of affairs is shown in Figure 2.

In order that the displacement of the permutation members WS may not be impeded by friction, the combs PG are lifted at appropriate times ofi the permutation members. For this purpose, the tails PH of the combs are hook shaped and are arranged so that they can be depressed by a rail AS. This rail AS is attached to the armatures AA of two magnets AM arranged at the side of the selector magnets WM. On energization of the magnets AM, the rail AS is pressed downwards on to the tails of the combs 1'" and the teeth of the latter are brought out of contact with the permutation members WS. The arrangement operates as follows: On arrival of a telegraph signal, the magnets AM are first energized, preferably during the H start impulse, and by means of the rail AS, all the combs PG are brought out of contact with the permutation members WS. The five impulses of the telegraph signal now act in succession upon the five selector magnets WM. The selector magnets can be normally de-energized and be energized on reception of current from the line or they can be normally energized and be de-energized in accordance with current condi tions. signal has been received, the permutation members WS are in positions which correspond to the five signal impulses received. The magnet AM is now de-energized so that the combs PG are lowered on to the permutation members WS.

The comb PG having teeth which correspond to the position assumed by the permutation members drops further than the others so that its teeth PZ enter the spaces between the permutation members. This end PD of this comb causes the associated hook SH to be brought within striking range of the hammer H. The printing magnet HM is then energized and the hammer H strikes the prepared hook SH so that the end SD of the striking member S strikes the arm TA and thus causes the type lever TH to be actuated. The selector magnets can be preparatorily energized or de-energized for the reception of a further signal, as soon as a comb PG has dropped. The armatures of these magnets cannot be displaced at that time because the permutation members are held by the teeth PZ of the engaged comb. The permutation members can be released (by lifting the combs) as soon as the hammer H meets the hook SH because the printing operation is effected independently of the permutation members and the combs. For lifting the combs, the magnets AM are energized again so that they attract the armature AA.

The keyboard of the ordinary typewriter, in addition to keys for actuating the type levers, also has keys for actuating the carriage carrying the roller. Thus, a key is usually provided for moving the carriage forward one step at a time and there are also usually one or more keys provided for lifting the roller so that one of several characters provided on the same type lever is printed. The linkages of such keys are similar to the linkage TG shown in Figure 1 that they can be influenced by the same control mechanism as is provided for the type levers. A striking member S is provided for these special keys.

A device is also usually provided on the normal typewriter for keeping the carriage semi- When the last selecting impulse of the permanently in its lifted position. A similar device SP is provided in the arrangement in accordance with the invention. This is shown in Figure 2.

The linkage TGI, the arm TAI of which lies under a pin on the bell-crank lever RAI pivotally mounted at RWI, is operated by the key TI. The carriage which carries the platen roll R (indicated diagrammatically in the drawings) runs on balls RK mounted in a pair of rail guides RS on a lever RH. One end of this lever RH is connected to the lever RA! and the other end to a lever RAZ pivotally mounted at RWZ. The weight of the carriage is counterbalanced by a spring RF. Depression of the key 'II causes the lever RAI to be swung and the carriage R to be lifted. The striking member SI associated with the linkage TGI is selected in the same way as the other striking members by a test member PGI, and is actuated through its hook SH! by the hammer H. A cranked lever SP arranged at the side of this striking member Si is pressed against it by a spring SP) (see Figures 5 and 6). When the striking member Sl is pivoted by the hammer H, the upright arm of the lever SP comes under the striking member SI and prevents it from returning into the starting position (Figure 6). At the same time, the lever RA! is swung by the arm TA! and lifts the carriage R. The carriage remains in the lifted position until, on reception of the signal for shifting back the carriage, the striking member S2. is actuated so that the striking member SI is released again. The striking member S2 has a hook SZ which engages under the one leg of the lever SP. When the striking member S2 is pivoted by the hammer H, the hook SZ causes the lever SP to swing against the action of the spring SPf. The striking member SI is thus released andthe carriage R returns by gravity into the normal position.

In the example described above, there is no positive connection between the parts of the control device and the keys. The striking members S could, however, be hinged to the arms TA of the rods TG. The described arrangement has the advantage that depression of a key T does not involve simultaneous movement of the parts of the control device. The work required to be done is, therefore, not increased. Furthermore, the whole control device can be arranged in a lower space or casing, upon which, if desired, an existing typewriting device can be mounted.

The various magnets can be actuated and the received signal impulses be distributed to the magnets by any appropriate means. A distributor made up of relays such as is described in Patent No. 2,090,944 issued August 24th, 1937, on application Serial No. 52,234 filed November 29th, 1935, by Martin Hebel can advantageously be employed.

constructional details of the selector mechanism and the printing mechanism can also be difierent from those described and illustrated. In particular, it may be found advantageous to provide two magnets HM for the actuation of the hammer H, as is done for the rail AS.

I claim:

1. Telegraph apparatus comprising a plurality of key-actuated type levers, a plurality of striking 1eversone for each type lever-each arrangedso as when rocked to strike the associated type lever from below, a plurality of actuating membersone for each striking lever depending from said striking levers, an intermittently operated actuator, a plurality of testing levers-one' for each actuating membermounted for individual movement into and out of a normal position and each arranged so as in moving out of said normal position to bring the associated actuating member into the path of movement of said actuator, a plurality of permutation members mounted for individual movement into and out of a normal position under the influence of received code signals and means for selectively displacing said testing levers out of said normal position according to the relative positionsof said permutation members, said testing levers and said actuator being mounted for pivotal movement about parallel axes lying respectively to one and to the opposite side of said permutation members and said actuating members.

2. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating members are pivotally suspended from said striking levers, wherein each of said actuating members has an off-set part extending towards said testing levers and an off-set part extending towards said actuator and wherein resilient means are provided for yieldingly resisting pivotal movement of said actuating members into a position in which said second-mentioned off-set parts lie within the path of movement of said actuator.

3. Telegraph apparatus comprising a plurality of key-actuated type levers, a plurality of striking leversone for each type levermounted for independent pivotal movement in the vertical plane and each arranged so as when so moved to strike the associated type lever from below, a plurality of actuating membersone for each striking lever-pivotally connected to and depending from said striking levers, a pivotally mounted actuator adapted when one of said actuating members is brought into its path of movement to displace said member downwardly whereby to cause the striking lever from which said member depends to be pivotally moved and to strike the type lever associated with said striking lever, a plurality of testing membersone for each actuating membernormally located out of contact with said actuating members, means for selecting one of said testing levers for displacement in accordance with received code signals, means for displacing a selected testing lever whereby to bring it into contact with and to bring-the actuating member associated with that lever into the path of movement of said actuator and means for operating said actuator, said means comprising an electromagnet and a lever system connecting the armature of said electromagnet to said actuator, the pivotal axes of said testing levers and said actuator lying respectively to one and to the opposite side of said actuating members.

4. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said electromagnet has a horizontal iron circuit and its armature is arranged to move at right angles thereto.

5. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for selecting said testing levers comprise a set of permutation members displaceable relatively to each other under the infiuence of received code current impulses and wherein said testing levers are in the form of comb-like members having difierent combinations of teeth formed by removing from identical combs having one pair of teeth for each of said permutation members, one tooth in each pair.

6. Telegraph apparatus comprising a plurality of key actuated type levers, a plurality of striking leversone for each type 1evereach arranged so as when rocked to strike the associated type lever from below, a plurality of selecting members adapted to be set in different relative positions under the influence of received code signals, a plurality of actuating membersone for each striking lever--pivotally depending each from said striking levers, a plurality of pivotally mounted testing membersone for each actuating member--each having a normal position in which it is out of operative engagement with the associated actuating member, means for selectively causing one of said actuating members to move out of the normal position in accordance with the setting of said selecting members effected under the influence of a received code signal and thereby to displace the associated actuating member, and a pivotally mounted electromagnetically operated member adapted on being operated to actuate a displaced actuating member and thereby to cause pivotal movement of the striking lever associated with said actuating member, said electromagnetically operated member and said testing members being mounted for pivotal movement about axes disposed respectively on one side and the other of said actuating members and said selecting members.

7. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 6, comprising also electromagnetic means for holding said testing members against movement during the setting of said selecting members and wherein said testing members are in the form of two-armed levers, one arm of said levers being adapted to engage with the associated actuating member and the other being acted on by said electromagnetic means.

8. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 6, comprising electromagnetic means for holding said testing members against movement during the setting of said selecting members, wherein said testing members are in the form of twoarmed levers, one arm of said levers being adapted to engage with the associated actuating member and the other being acted on by said electromagnetic means, said testing members in the normal position resting on said selecting members and said electromagnetic means serving to lift said testing members off said selecting members when said selecting members are to be set on receipt of a code signal and to release said testing members for displacement in accordance with the setting of said selecting members when said setting has been effected.

9. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 6, comprising electromagnetic means for holding said testing members against movement during the setting of said selecting members, wherein each of said testing members is in the form of a two-armed lever one arm of which is adapted to engage with the associated actuating member and the other of which is arranged so as to be acted on by said electromagnetic means, said testing members in the normal position resting on said selecting members and said electromagnetic means serving to lift said testing members 01? said selecting members when said selecting members are to be set on receipt of a code signal and to release said testing members for displacement in accordance with the setting of said selecting members when said setting has been effected, said electromagnetic means comprising a pair of electromagnets and a rail connecting the armature of said electromagnets and situated above said testing members.

10. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said striking levers has a pair of arms of unequal length, the longer of said arms having an upwardly directed projection adapted on the lever being actuated to strike the associated type lever and wherein said actuating members are pivotally mounted to depend from the shorter of said arms.

11. Telegraph apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said strikin levers has a pair of arms of unequal length, the longer of said arms having an upwardly directed projection adapted on the lever being actuated to strike the associated type lever, wherein said actuating members are pivotally mounted to depend from the shorter of said arms and wherein said projection comprises a pair oi side cheeks disposed one on each side of the part of the associated type lever acted upon by said projection.

12. Telegraph apparatus comprising a plurality of key-actuated levers including type levers and at least one shift lever, a plurality of pivotally mounted striking members-one for each of said levers-each arranged so as when rocked to strike the associated lever from below, a plurality of actuating membersone for each of said striking memb rs-depending from said striking members, an intermittently operated actuator, a plurality of testing membersone for each actuating member-mounted for individual pivotal movement into and out of a normal position and each arranged so as in moving out of said normal position to bring the associated actuating member into the path of movement of said actuator, a plurality ofpermutation members mounted for individual movement into and out of a normal position under the influence of received code signals and means for selectively displacing said testing members out of said. normal position ac cording to the relative positions of said permutation members, said testing members and said actuator being mounted for pivotal movement about parallel axes lying respectively to one and to the opposite side of said permutation members and said actuating members.

13. Telegraph apparatus comprising a paper carriage, a plurality of type levers each bearing two types, a plurality of keys adapted on actuation to cause printing of one of said types on said type levers, a key-actuated control lever for displacing said paper carriage whereby to cause the other of said types to be printed, a latching lever adapted to hold said control lever in its actuated position, means for releasing said latching lever, a plurality of striking members-one for each of said levers-each arranged so as when rocked to strike the associated lever from below, a plurality of actuating members associated individually with said striking members and depending pivotally therefrom, a plurality of selecting members adapted to be set in different relative positions under the influence of received code signals, a plurality of pivotally mounted testing members adapted to be selectively displaced in accordance with the setting of said selecting members, a pivotally mounted printing hammer, electromagnetic means for actuating said hammer, and means for transmitting movement of said testing members to the associated actuating member whereby to bring said actuating member within the range of movement of said printing hammer.

KARL GUNDLFINGER. 

